Edwin j



E. J. FRASER. Galvanic-Belt.

No. 224,414. Patented Feb. 10, 18 80,

7 UNITED. STATES P rENT OFFICE.

EDWIN J. FRASER, F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

- a GALYANIC BELT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 224,414, dated February 10, 1880.

Application filed April '1, 1879.

To all whom Lt may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN J. FRASER, of the city and county of San Francisco, and State of California, have invented an Improved Galvanic Belt; and Ihereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionv thereof.

Myinvention relates-to'certainimprovements 4 each other of the adjacent positive and negative plates and allow the belt to be perfectly fitted to the body.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my belt. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-section, showing a body with the belt applied. Fig. 4 shows the belt combined with a equivalent.

truss-pad.

A andB represent the positive and negative plates, such as copper and zinc, or their 0 represents an intermediate porous or fibrous substance for containing the exciting-liquid, such as diluted vinegar, orany other suitable liquid; and D D represent the cords, which I prefer to be of silk, upon which the little batteries are strung for the purpose of forming a series in the form of a belt.

I prefer the plates A and B to be formed into segments of about two-fifths of a circle, so

that the intermediate substance can be in the form of a round pencil or cord out off in sections of equal length of the plates. The plates are perforated neart-heir ends for the passage,

of the cords. Each pair of plates with the intermediate substance forms a complete battery, and when strung on the cords the zinc of one battery com es in metallic contact with the copper of the next, forming a series. I

E and F represent the positive and negative electrodes of, the belt. When used, voneelectrode is applied to. the spine at or above the. origin of the nerve-ganglions supplying the part affected, while the other is applied over the part aifeeted.

Gr represents the water-proof covering, which is applied to the belt for the purposes of insulation and. the retention of moisture in the belt. This may consist of a coating of rubber dissolved in naphtha or other suitable material, and spread over the series with a brush,

or coated in any other suitable manner.

H represents a web or band which passes around the body under the galvanic belt, to give greater strength and support and to prevent chafing of the body by the metallic belt.

I have discovered that galvanism aids materially in the radical cure of hernia. In that case, instead of the web H, I combine my belt with the band of a truss and direct the currents between the spine and rupture. so used I insulate the electrode F and direct the current to the truss-pad I, which forms the electrode, as shown in Fig. 4.

1t will be observed that the complete galvanic belt consists of two series of batteries, one on each side of the body, but joining at their ends to one common electrode at eachend.

When the zinc end of a series is placed over the abdomen and the copper end upon the spine the current passes from zinc to copper through the series half-way around the bodyon each side, from abdomen to back, then through the body to the zinc, forming a circuit. In that case the current is direct along thenerves from spine to periphery; but when the electrodes are reversed the current is inverse. A direct current soothes and strengthens, while an inverse one stimulates and excites; To meet these important indications my belt is constructed.

I do not claim, broadly, a belt composed of l the voltaic elements, as I am aware thatsuch belts havebeen heretofore constructed; neither do I claim a-truss-pad having theelements of a voltaic pile or battery within itself, as I am aware that such a device has been patented; but 1 p What I do claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The improvement in galvanic or-voltaic belts, consisting informing the positive and negative plates A B of each 'pair intosegments ofcylinders, extending across the belt and closinga cylinder of fibrous material, whlch separates their edges, said pairs being perfo- When bin ation with theflexible counectin g-cords D D, the same forming a belt or band to be worn around the body, while the curvature of the plates allows them to roll upon each other for adjustment without breaking their contact, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

EDWIN J. FRASER, M. D.

Witnesses:

GEo. H. STRONG, FRANK A. BROOKS. 

